Chapter 53

Chapter 53

How Can This Be! (2)

Mayor Gu seemed immersed in thought as if chewing on Father’s words carefully.

“Yeongdeungpo Station already has the underground Line 1 track passing, and with the current Korean civil engineering technical power, excavating by penetrating under an already built station is close to impossible······.”

Father added.

“For geological and geopolitical reasons, I also want to recommend Sindorim. There, it’s possible to build slightly offset from the existing station.”

“Makes sense.”

Mayor Gu nodded.

“Even if difficult with only Taeseong’s current open-cut earth retaining method, what if using the NATM method or TBM method brought from Japan this time? Does it seem hard even using that?”

“It will be difficult but if repeating trial and error, the construction will be possible somehow. But considering even the cost and safety problems, I wonder if we have to go that far unnecessarily.”

Father said cutting it off.

“In short, this is a matter of choice according to realistic reasons. If forcibly carrying out the underground tunnel construction and human damage occurs greatly, both Taeseong and Mayor Gu will become troubled.”

“Umm.”

Mayor Gu is a person who set his will on politics.

The reason he’s pushing the Subway Line 2 construction with a stronger will than anyone after becoming Seoul mayor is all to secure shining achievements.

If ignoring the implementer’s warning and forcibly carrying out the construction and human damage occurs greatly?

Mayor Gu has to bear all the criticism according to that.

It meant having to greatly shoulder the political burden later.

“I’ll speak honestly. Taeseong has to bear even the enormous construction cost so we want to avoid Yeongdeungpo Station. So we presented another alternative.”

“Yes. Anyway, a construction that has to be completed within the fixed budget and deadline, if changing in the planning process, you wouldn’t want to unnecessarily take on the avoidable risks and costs.”

Mayor Gu nodded this time too.

“Sindorim. Certainly the most efficient and certain choice. I acknowledge.”

Mayor Gu exclaimed lowly.

“The young friend is really amazing. To think you’d point out even the point I overlooked like this.”

Mayor Gu was very satisfied.

“There hasn’t been a person who understood my will this accurately until now. Even His Excellency told me to take charge of and push the Subway Line 2 construction, but didn’t show much interest in my urban plan itself.”

Mayor Gu burst into small laughter while looking at the Subway Line 2 route map several times.

“But I wonder how you conceived this kind of plan. As if seeing through my insides.”

The unsatisfactory expression he was subtly making when looking at Father had disappeared before he knew it.

Instead, joy and pleasure, expectation and interest took that place.

“While at it, may I ask just one more?”

“Of course.”

“When I put out this circular line plan, the urban planning bureau chief, urban planning section chief, subway construction headquarters chief etc. that I called to the mayor’s office were concerned about one problem. I suddenly became curious how you would solve that.”

Mayor Gu’s expression of course even his voice had an excited complexion.

“Generally, subway routes are composed radially to connect the downtown and the outskirts. Only when the downtown is overcrowded and the traffic volume reaches saturation do they build a circular line to develop sub-downtowns. But you······.”

“You’re saying why did Taeseong prioritize planning the circular line. It’s easy. Because I was impressed by Mayor Gu’s three-core city theory.”

Mayor Gu’s three-core city theory was the claim that Seoul City should consist of three downtowns of inside the four gates, Yeongdeungpo, and Gangnam.

“This problem is solved if preparing radial trunk lines separately to assist the circular line. For that reason, I also conceived the Subway Line 3 and Subway Line 4 plans separately.”

“What? Not only Subway Line 2 but even Line 3 and Line 4?”

Mayor Gu couldn’t hide his shocked expression.

But Father held out the yellowed Seoul City map with a calm expression.

“This is the route map of Subway Line 3 and the route map of Subway Line 4. It’s a plan that sufficiently fills the traffic gaps that the circular line couldn’t fill.”

“Give that here right now!”

Mayor Gu couldn’t hold back and snatched the map as if snatching it.

Mayor Gu looked at the map with the subway route map drawn with eyes wide open.

The pupils shook roughly as if an earthquake occurred.

“T, this nonsense······!”

Mayor Gu spat a scream-like shock.

“This is a plan that even I haven’t finished conceiving now! But how did you organize what I was vaguely drawing clearly? T, this is really······!”

Mayor Gu suddenly grabbed Father’s hand hard.

“You’re a genius!”

Father flinched.

Since he couldn’t do this or that, he chose to close his mouth.

“There are not just one or two things I want to ask about this plan of yours right now! Why you made Subway Line 3 and Line 4 with this route, in what aspects it’s the same and different from the conception I was drawing, I’m curious about the blueprint that Taeseong is dreaming so I can’t endure! You, is time okay?”

Mayor Gu started walking holding Father’s hand while very happy.

Father had no choice but to match the pace with a dazed expression.

President Oh of Hyunmu Construction also, Secretary Kim also hurriedly followed behind.

Mayor Gu was so excited that he had the momentum of even snorting.

“President Oh, is there a remaining room in this hotel? Suite room, if not even a business room is good! Put out one!”

“What? Why a hotel room suddenly?”

“I want to discuss the subway route plan with this friend all night!”

Mayor Gu didn’t even look back at all.

The steps pulling Father were becoming faster and faster.

“I wondered why President Oh praised you so extremely! As expected, really amazing! Very excellent! This time together with you about Seoul City’s urban development······.”

“······Thank you, Mayor Gu. But today seems it won’t do.”

“What?”

Mayor Gu’s feet stopped abruptly.

Along with that, Father’s feet, President Oh of Hyunmu Construction and Secretary Kim’s feet also stopped.

Mayor Gu asked.

“No, why?”

President Oh of Hyunmu Construction also joined.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. Sorry.”

“It’s a matter with as much as 180 billion construction at stake. On top of that, if even Subway Line 3 and Line 4, I don’t know how much of a great construction it will become, and you’re saying you’ll refuse this? Why?”

“I promised to watch the fireworks with my son.”

At Father’s answer, everyone dropped their mouths open.

“Because of mere fireworks?”

“Isn’t Hyunmu Chemicals’ fireworks a spectacle. It’s also the highlight schedule of the year-end night.”

“Ha······.”

The corner of President Oh of Hyunmu Construction’s mouth twitched small.

“If fireworks······. I’ll instruct to extend another 5 minutes.”

“Thank you. Thanks to that, it seems it will remain as an unforgettable memory of our family.”

Father politely greeted.

“Then I’ll see you next time. I’ll go first.”

Father turned his back.

Mayor Gu burst into a hearty laugh.

“To live while even taking care of family in the midst of this. This is a matter that even I can’t do properly. There’s no reason not to covet a young talent with clear conviction and expertise. Hahaha! Have a safe trip!”

Mayor Gu rather highly regarded Father’s choice.

“Then come to the city hall tomorrow! I’ll be waiting for you in the mayor’s office. I can’t yield that either so know that! Hahaha!”

President Oh of Hyunmu Construction quickly tried to catch up to Father but was caught by Secretary Kim.

Secretary Kim slightly put a folded note in President Oh’s hand.

“Hmm?”

Secretary Kim bowed and followed Father without lingering.

Coming out of the hall and walking the corridor quickly, Father said.

“Secretary Kim, on the note there was only content regarding Subway Line 2.”

“That’s so.”

“So that I don’t stutter like a fool at the questions Mayor Gu asks tomorrow, so that Taeseong doesn’t get pushed even if holding a discussion all day, so that they don’t doubt Taeseong’s ability, it seems I have to study more about the subway plan. Secretary Kim’s help is desperately needed. Please help.”

Secretary Kim opened his eyes wide.

It seemed he didn’t know that Father who was acting stiff about the money envelope matter would come out in such a low posture.

“Good.”

Secretary Kim nodded.

“I’ll reserve a room separately at the Hyunmu Hotel so come up after the fireworks end.”

“Thank you.”

Father’s expression became noticeably brighter.

On the other hand, Secretary Kim’s expression darkened peculiarly.

An illusion?

* * *

“Ha······.”

President Oh of Hyunmu Construction opened his palm.

“T, this is······!”

It was the same handwriting as the note that the Taeseong Group security guard brought.

If it won’t stop at Hyunmu Construction, propose to Mayor Gu. Ask to use Hyunmu Chemicals’ instead of Daehan Chemicals for the explosives to use in the subway construction. On the condition of keeping the subway plan secret.

President Oh of Hyunmu Construction opened his eyes wide.

“This is. This time too it seems I’ll end up owing a debt to Taeseong Construction.”

The Subway Line 2 construction is scheduled to be a very large scale of underground tunnel and civil engineering construction, so the amount of explosives to be used would be enormous.

“Mayor Gu, I have a request.”

President Oh of Hyunmu Construction clenched his fist tightly.

“I want to firmly stamp an eye stamp on Father this time. Can you help?”

“To the head of Hyunmu Group?”

“I’ll keep my mouth shut about what I just saw. Instead, I wish you’d select our Hyunmu Chemicals as the explosives supply place to use in the Subway Line 2 construction.”

“Hoho.”

Mayor Gu’s eyes folded small.

The holding company of Hyunmu Group is Hyunmu Chemicals.

Starting from Hyunmu Group chemicals and expanding the area to heavy industry, Hyunmu Construction was only a small affiliate compared to that.

“A friend who didn’t use his head in this direction at all is making a smart proposal today?”

Mayor Gu folded the map neatly and put it away while gesturing with his chin.

“Let’s talk the rest after going up to the room later. If possible, I also want to receive the estimate and supply plan. Will it be difficult?”

“Is that something to say now······!”

“Let’s not think too difficultly. Since I received a tempting proposal, it’s just that I want to hear the specific supply plan.”

President Oh of Hyunmu Construction crumpled his expression greatly.

“Does the sound of not thinking difficultly come out while making a difficult demand? Is that a matter that can be made and submitted right now?”

“Taeseong drew even the Subway Line 2, Line 3, Line 4 route maps in 30 minutes.”

“······.”

“Will it be harder than that?”

President Oh of Hyunmu Construction couldn’t hold back and ended up spitting the word that rose to his throat.

“Damn it!”

Already his head is throbbing so it’s an expression of having swallowed shit water.

Mayor Gu smiled annoyingly.

“Why? No confidence? If no confidence, give up. I’m thinking of handing the same proposal to Daehan Chemicals too.”

“I’ll do it! I said I’ll do it! Who said I can’t? If Taeseong did it, our Hyunmu can do it too!”

President Oh of Hyunmu Construction whose mind became urgent ran out hurriedly.

Mayor Gu left in the hall sipped the champagne.

The corner of his mouth had already risen long ago.

“This matter is turning interestingly. It seems President Oh has finally resolved to spread his will.”

The keen sense developed from rolling around the battlefield and the political world moved.

It seems a new wind starting from Taeseong will blow.

“If it’s that kind of matter, I have to willingly help.”

Mayor Gu raised the champagne glass.

It was a toast sent to a friend.

* * *

I cut off the connection with the underworld messenger.

‘Good!’

I clenched my fist tightly.

I hope President Oh of Hyunmu Construction who showed goodwill to Father can approach Hyunmu Chemicals one step closer with this matter.

This was the goodwill I was repaying.

“Jeong-hyeok!”

Father ran over waving his long coat.

His breath was rough, and sweat droplets were formed on his forehead.

Along with the heavy and sophisticated perfume smell, hot steam hit.

“Dad!”

Bang! Bang bang bang! Bang!

Father grinned.

“Fortunate that I’m not late. I kept the promise. Up!”

Father lifted me up and put me on his shoulders.

“Wow!”

“Can you see a bit now?”

Having become much higher than the adults’ height, the surroundings opened wide.

In the sky, colorful gorgeous fireworks, on the ground, various colored Christmas tree decorations and bulbs were sparkling.

Somehow the chest became full.

“Yes, I can see well.”

Bang bang bang bang! Bang!

I came to know why families come to watch fireworks.

I stretched my hand as if I would catch the fireworks and smiled widely.

“Hehehe.”

Mother also, Father also smiled together with me.

‘Good that I came to the year-end night.’

After the fireworks ended, Secretary Kim slightly approached and asked small.

“Young Master, I want to request teaching regarding the subway route map.”

Ha, this. Since it’s a matter that Father has to familiarize with immediately, I can’t say it’s bothersome and ignore it.

If it’s about the overall Seoul urban plan, Secretary Kim would also know well.

Then 3 minutes will do!

“Good. Follow me to the bathroom for a bit later.”

“Thank you, Young Master.”

For some reason, Secretary Kim smiled widely with a much more refreshed face.

* * *

The next morning, U-gwang Group chairman’s office.

The flower vase that Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group threw flew brushing the head of the president of U-gwang Construction.

Clang!

The flower vase shattered, and water dripped down the wall.

Cold sweat dripped down the spine of President Kim of U-gwang Construction.

“Ch, Chairman!”

“Shut that mouth.”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group’s voice was cold like the north wind and snow.

“Yesterday Chairman Cha seemed to just overlook looking at my face, but I’m not.”